Archbishop and Pope meet in Rome

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Pope have agreed to “consolidate” the relationship between their two churches.

Dr Williams met Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams during their meeting at the Vatican

A Vatican statement said the pair discussed the “recent events affecting relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion” and reiterated “the shared will to continue and to consolidate the ecumenical relationship between Catholics and Anglicans”.

Earlier this week, Dr Williams dismissed the Pope’s recent invitation for disaffected Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic church as a mere “pastoral response”.

He played down the significance of the “Apostolic Constitution” unveiled by the Vatican last month, which allows Church of England clergy and worshippers to enter into full Catholic communion while preserving parts of their Anglican heritage.

The announcement followed threats by Anglican traditionalists to leave the church over issues such as the consecration of women bishops and gay priests.